The East India Company came into existence by Royal Charter on the very last day of 1600. Funded through shares and later stocks, It was the enterprise of London businessmen hoping to cash in on the lucrative trade in spices, textiles and other luxuries with the East and to undercut the monopolies held by Spain and Portugal. It became more than just a trading concern maintaining its own military and civil service. At the height of its influence, the Company employed vast numbers and its trade and politics had an enormous impact on the cultural landscape of both the United Kingdom and South East Asia. The influx of Eastern goods changed the way Britain shopped -- from what people put in their homes and on their bodies, and with the introduction of foods, like curry. This course will explore the history of the East India Company through politics, culture and material culture considering how and why it changed the world.
Course aim
Students will, through the analysis of key objects understand the political and economic impact of the East India Company on Britain, India and China, between the 17th to 19th centuries.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- An understanding of the history of the East India Company viewed through a lens of material culture.
- An understanding of its cultural and political engagement in South East Asia
- An understanding of its cultural and political legacies in the UK and Asia.
- The ability to see the impact of the East India Company at home in terms of material culture, street names, the things we wear and the food we eat.
What else do I need to know?
An interesting in the history of the East India Company. A look at either William Dalrymple's The Anarchy (2019) or John Keay's The Honourable Company (1991) would be useful.
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